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MEPs have been quick to respond to news of the tentative peace deal in the Middle East.
On Thursday, the European Green Party (EGP) said it welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, marking a step that will hopefully end the cycle of violence that has caused immense suffering.
Commenting, Vula Tsetsi, co-chair of the European Green Party, said: “We can only hope that a ceasefire will finally break the cycle of violence. While nothing can bring back the tens of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children who have been killed, nor Israeli victims of the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, we hope that an agreement will serve as the foundation for a lasting peace and a two-state solution.”
Further comment came from Ciarán Cuffe, co-chair of the European Green Party, who emphasised the importance of international efforts in ensuring a fair and lasting peace.
Cuffe said, “We have witnessed 465 days of destruction during which Gaza has been devastated beyond recognition. We urge European institutions and national governments to actively engage in diplomatic efforts to ensure that the ceasefire agreement holds, that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is addressed immediately and that both sides work constructively towards an enduring peace.”
Elsewhere, further reaction comes from the Left group in the European Parliament which said it hopes the deal will bring to a halt violence that has killed tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza and across the wider region.
Co-chair of The Left Manon Aubry (La France Insoumise, France) said: “The announcement that a ceasefire agreement has been reached is a great relief. Our thoughts are with the hostages, prisoners, their families and all civilians. We will closely monitor the implementation of the agreement and push for it to be made permanent. We will not forget that more than 46,000 Gazans have been killed in the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli army.”
“This genocide must end permanently. War criminals must be arrested and brought to justice under warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.”
“We must also remember that lasting peace can only be achieved with justice and equal rights. The European Union must put pressure on Netanyahu to ensure that Israel ends its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and that a sovereign Palestinian state is established. Today we celebrate the ceasefire, but we know that there is still a long way to go,” the MEP said.
Chair of the Delegation for relations with Palestine Lynn Boylan (Sinn Féin, Ireland) added, “A ceasefire deal is long overdue and extremely welcome. As part of this agreement, the role of UNRWA must be protected and the anti-UNRWA Knesset laws must be repealed before they come into effect at the end of January. Now we need to see countries commit to delivering lasting peace and justice for Palestine and see accountability for the war crimes and crimes against humanity we have witnessed over the past 15 months.”
The Left group says it has urged the European institutions and Member States “to fully support the work of the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, as well as organisations working on the ground in Gaza, in order to ensure that peace in the region is built on justice for the victims of over 15 months of brutal violence.”
Meanwhile, the EU has unveiled further aid to victims in Gaza and other parts of the globe.
It said it comes with more than 300 million people estimated to need humanitarian assistance in 2025.
The initial humanitarian budget for 2025 will be some €1.87 billion, with aid allocated to the world’s most pressing crises, in particular in the Middle East such as in Gaza and Syria, as well as in Ukraine, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia and the Pacific.
The European Commission provides humanitarian aid in over 100 countries. Its assistance is delivered through humanitarian partner organisations, such as European humanitarian non-governmental organisations, international organisations (including UN agencies), and specialised agencies in the Member States.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: “With more than 300 million people needing humanitarian assistance in 2025, the EU is upholding its commitment to help those most in need as a leading humanitarian aid donor. Our humanitarian aid funding will support our partners on the ground – the UN family, the Red Cross/Red Crescent family, international and local government and non-governmental organisations – to provide life-saving, emergency assistance where needed.”
“At the same time, I reiterate my call for safe and unimpeded access to people in need: funding is not enough – we need to be able to reach the most vulnerable. And for this, there is an urgent need for all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law.”
